A Triumphant Mackie U15s Vrs Deeside

U15s Vrs Wanderers / Deeside

On another glorious late October day, Mackie U15’s hosted Wanderers-Deeside at Redcloak. This game was billed as the biggest of their season so far and was expected to be a stern test, particularly after having had a 4 week break from playing over the tattie holidays. Conditions were near perfect with almost no wind. The only element in play was the low autumnal sun. The final score was Mackie 31-19 Wanderers-Deeside. Mackie ran out eventual winners but in some respects made hard work out of what should have been a comfortable victory. Mackie dominated the first half, playing almost all of it within the Wanderers half. But they made heavy weather of their total domination of possession and squandered a number of try scoring opportunities. A half time score of 19-0 flattered the opposition who had been totally outplayed by a well organised and aggressive Mackie team, whose forwards excelled. The backs were not as incisive, partly due to the strong defence of Wanderers but also due perhaps to being a little rung rusty. Mackie’s first try was scored by Dean Davidson from a forward drive. Logan Grant converted. Fergus Cran then burst through to score from quick ball at a ruck. The fast line speed of Mackie was closing Wanderers –Deeside down. Owen Stewart then scored from a scrum taking a simple pass from number 8 Jack Malloy on the blind side from a 5 yard scrum. Logan Grant converted from near the touchline. The second half started with another Mackie try, Oscar Burslem scoring on the blind side from a 15m ruck with Logan Grant slotting over another excellent conversion. At 26-0 it looked like a commanding performance was on the cards from the well-coached Mackie team. However Wanderers-Deeside did not wilt. They have fast and dangerous strike players who had been muted for most the first 40 minutes of the game due to a lack of possession. As Mackie began to tire spaces inevitable became available and the opposition duly punished poor Mackie tackling by scoring 2 quick tries. The balance of the game had suddenly shifted with Mackie now under pressure. A further try from Wanderers-Deeside from their fast winger left the Mackie support wondering whether an upset was on the cards. There was now only one score in it and, despite all their possession and dominant early play Mackie now were looking a bit dishevelled. However the U15 team do not give up and raised the tempo of their game to score a decisive try, Logan Bean crossing to secure victory with only seconds remaining. In the end a hard fought win. Room for improvement yes but a great effort from the U15 team. If they can match their first half performance in upcoming games, improve their passing and tackling then they will have truly become a very competitive rugby team.
Neil Grant

Updated 13:28 - 7 Nov 2016 by Leslie Brown

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Basic repeating annual costs to provide rugby for all sections are in excess of £40,000 for Mackie Academy FP RFC